Receptacle unit



L. H. LEWIS RECEP'I'ACLE UNIT Oct. 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D0. 27 1962 ATTORNEY L. H. LEWIS RECEPTACLE UNIT Oct. 26, 1965 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 27 1962 INVENTOR.

LINFORD H. LEWIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,214,223 RECEPTACLE UNIT Linford H. Lewis, 3408 Ashville St, Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Dec. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 247,749 11 Claims. (Cl. 312198) The invention relates to a receptacle unit, and more particularly to a unit with a body having a chamber for receiving refuse with a removable bottom for emptying same and a separate receptacle means detachably secured with the body for receiving cigarettes and ashes.

The invention provides a receptacle unit with a body for receiving refuse which is combined with a detachably secured receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes. The combination of the body and receptacle means are locked together to prevent their removal by unauthorized personnel. The body for receiving refuse is also provided with a removable bottom to allow the rapid and efficient removal of refuse contained therein at the time that the device is unlocked, and also permitting removal and emptying of the cigarettes and ashes deposited in the receptacle means at the same time.

A principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit having means for receiving refuse combined with a separate receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit in which a separate receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes is detachably secured with the refuse receiving body and may readily be removed for emptying by authorized personnel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit allowing the rapid and efficient emptying of the body receiving refuse by authorized personnel only.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit including a hinged bar means for locking the separate receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes and preventing the removal of the bottom of the refuse receiving body when the bar means is in its locked position, while allowing the removal of the receptacle means and bottom plate of the body when the bar means is unlocked and in its open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit having a refuse containing body supported at a predetermined elevation, allowing a container to be placed thereunder into which refuse may be deposited from said body by slidably removing its bottom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit which automatically locks its body for receiving refuse against removal of refuse from said body and removal of said receptacle means for emptying its contents by locking the bar means of the receptacle means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit having a container for receiving.

refuse which may readily be removed therefrom by authorized personnel for emptying its contents, and a receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes which may be removed from the unit independently from the removal of said container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit having a hinged bar means for supporting a cigarette and ash receiving receptacle means proximate to but independent from and not secured with a container for receiving refuse when the door means is in its closed position, while allowing the receptacle means to be removed for emptying and the refuse receiving body to be removed only when the bar member is in its open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit which provides for a removable refuse receiving container which has a removable bottom plate for expediting the emptying of the refuse contained within said body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle unit of increased utility and adaptability for use in various locations, while providing an attractive appearance, and which may readily be produced and maintained at low cost.

The above objects, as well as many other objects of the invention, are achieved by providing a receptacle unit comprising a body having a chamber for receiving refuse, a bar member hingedly secured with said body and movable between a closed position proximate said body and an open position away from said body, and a receptacle means detachably supported by said body and having means for engagement by said member when in its closed position for locking said receptacle means with said body.

The receptacle means includes a receptacle having a; chamber for receiving cigarettes and ashes and arms means including a pair of hook elements connected with the receptacle for removably engaging the body for supporting the receptacle unit, and a depending element secured with the receptacle having a substantially horizontal projecting foot. The bar member is provided with a slot for receiving therethrough the foot of the receptacle means when the bar member is in its closed position for locking and preventing removal of the receptacle means in its position in engagement with said body.

The receptacle has a top plate which is slidably removable only when the receptacle means is removed from engagement with the body for removing the contents of the cavity of the receptacle means. The body for receiving refuse is also provided with a bottom plate which is slidably removable only when the bar member is in its open position. Leg supporting means provide for a clearance under the body, allowing a container unit to be positioned under the bottom plate so that refuse within the body may be emptied into the container unit when the bottom plate is slidably removed with the bar member in its open position.

A modified form of the receptacle unit includes a frame to which the leg elements are secured. The frame slidably receives therein the body or container for receiving refuse which is locked within the frame when the bar, which is hingedly secured with the frame, is secured in its closed position. The container is provided with a slidably removable bottom plate for allowing refuse to be emptied therefrom after the container has been removed from its frame. The bar member also supports a receptacle unit for receiving cigarettes and ashes which is positioned and retained proximate to the front wall of the body when the bar member is in its closed position. Because of this arrangement, the receptacle means may be removed and emptied independent of the removal of the container, when the bar member is in its open position.

Thus, when the bar member is in its open position, the container means may be removed therefrom by disengaging its foot by movement in the horizontal direction towards the receptacle unit, whereas when the bar member is in its closed position, such horizontal movement is prevented and the receptacle means is locked in its position proximate to the refuse receiving body which is also locked within the frame of the receptacle unit.

The foregoing, as well as many other objects of the invention, will become more apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the: receptacle unit embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the receptacle unit with its bar member in the open position,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle means removed from the receptacle unit shown in FIG- URE 2,

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the receptacle unit shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a further modified form of the receptacle means embodying the invention,

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIGURE 6,

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of FIGURE 7, and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the container for receiving refuse removed from the receptacle unit shown in FIGURE 6.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Refer to FIGURES 1 through 3 which disclose a receptacle unit 10 embodying the invention.

The receptacle unit 10 comprises a body 12, preferably of metallic material, having substantially rectangular vertical front and rear walls 14, 16 and side walls 18, 20. The top edges 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively of the walls 14, 16, 18 and define a top opening 30 of the body 12 through which refuse may be received into the chamber 32 of the body 12. The side walls 18, 20 provide along their bottom edges a pair of opposite inwardly directed horizontal ledges 34, 36 providing track means for slidably receiving and supporting a removable bottom plate 38 for enclosing the bottom of the chamber 32 (see FIGURE 3 a raised bottom edge 40 which provides a clearance for the removal of the bottom plate 38 and its replacement by sliding action upon the ledges 34, 36. For the purpose of slidably moving the bottom plate 38, a depend ing handle 42 is provided which extends downwardly from the center of the front edge 44 (see FIGURE 2) of the bottom plate 38.

Front and rear pairs of legs 46 and 48, which may be of hollow tubular material, are secured with the bottom of the body 12 respectively at each of its four corners. The legs 46, 48 are arched outwardly near their attachment to the body 12 in the direction substantially normal to the side walls 18, 20 to provide an additional clearance between the pairs of front and rear legs 46, 48, so that a container unit (not shown) may readily be positioned under the bottom plate 38 for receiving refuse contained within the chamber 32 of the body 12 when the bottom plate 38 is slidably removed.

A receptacle means 50 comprises a receptacle 52 with a small substantially rectangular box structure, preferably made of metal or non-inflammable material. The receptacle 52 provides a cavity therein for receiving cigarettes and ashes through the circular openings 54 of its top plate 56. The top plate 56 is slidably received by the tracks formed along the parallel side edges 58, 60 at the top of the receptacle 52. The top plate 56 may be removed by sliding action in the rearward direction past the back wall 62 of the receptacle 52 for allowing the ready removal of the contents deposited in the receptacle 52 of the receptacle means 50. The receptacle means 50 is provided with arm means comprising a pair of parallel spaced rod elements 64, 66 secured at their bottom with and extending respectively upwardly from the sides 68, 70 of the receptacle 52. The upper ends of the rod elements 64, 66 are provided with hooks 72, 74 for detachably securing the receptacle means 50 with the body 12. The top edge 22 of the front wall 14 of the body 12 is provided with a pair of spaced detent or cutout regions 76, 78 for respectively receiving the hooks 72, 74 of the receptacle means 50 by the downward The front wall 14 has 4 placement of the receptacle means 50 with its back wall 62 in contact with the front wall 14 of the body 12, as clearly seen in FIGURE 2. As thus supported, the receptacle means 50 may readily be removed by moving same in the upward direction.

The receptacle means 50 also has a depending element 80 with a vertical portion 81 extending downwardly from the receptacle 52. The depending element 80, which may be made of a flat bar of material, is provided with a substantially horizontal projecting foot 82 at the bottom of its vertical portion 81. With the receptacle means 50, positioned as shown in FIGURE 2, being supported by the body 12, the vertical portion 81 of the element 80 is positioned proximate the front wall 14 of the body 12, while its foot 82 extends in the forward direction away from the surface 14 of the body 12. The foot 82 is also thus positioned at a location above the bottom edge 40 of the front surface 14, so that it does not interfere with the actuation of the bottom plate 38.

A bar member 84 is secured at its end 38 with the body 12 by a hinge 86 located at the lower right edge of the front wall 14. The other end 90 of the bar member 84 may be moved to its closed position shown in FIGURE 1 and to its open position shown in FIGURE 2 by rotation about its hinge 86. When in its closed position, the bar member 84 may be secured with the body 12 by the lock means 92 which extends through the opening 94 of the front wall 14. The bar member 84 may be unlocked by authorized personnel using the key for the locking means.

With the bar member 84 in its closed and locked condition, it extends over and covers the opening provided below the bottom edge 40 of the front wall 14 through which the bottom plate 38 is slidably removed and replaced. Thus, with the bar member 84 in its locked position, the bottom plate 38 is positively secured within the receptacle unit 10 and cannot be removed. Of course, when the bar member 84 is placed in its open position shown in FIGURE 2, the bottom plate 38 may readily be slidably removed by use of its handle 42 for depositing refuse contained within the chamber 32 of the body 12 into a container unit (not shown) temporarily positioned by authorized personnel under the floor member between the pairs of supporting legs 46, 48. Thus, with an outward movement and inward replacing movement, the bottom plate 38 may be actuated to rapidly and efiiciently discharge the collected refuse into a desired container unit placed thereunder.

The bar member 84 is provided with a central upwardly projecting portion 96 having a substantially horizontal slit 98 for receiving therethrough the foot 82 when the bar 84 is in its closed position, as shown in FIGURE 1. Since the receptacle means 50 is detachable from the body 12 by an upward movement, the engagement of the foot 82 by the bar member 84 prevents the upward movement of the receptacle means 50, thereby preventing its removal from the body 12. Because the removal of the top plate 56 of the receptacle 52 is achieved by sliding in the backward direction, the top plate 56 may also not be removed while the receptacle means 50 is maintained in its position supported proximate the front surface 14 of the body 12. Thus, when the bar member 84 is in its closed position, the receptacle means 50 is locked with the body 12 and its top plate 56 may not be removed. The openings 54 of the top plate 56 are dimensioned to receive cigarettes or ashes, but are sufiiciently small to prevent the intentional or accidental removal of its contents therethrough.

When the bar member 84 is in its open position, as shown in FIGURE 2, the receptacle means 50 may readily be removed by its upward movement, and the top plate 56 removed for discharging the contents contained in the receptacle 52. Of course, this may be done independently of the actuation and discharge of the contents or refuse within the body 12 by the actuation of its bottom plate 38. However, it is noted that when the bar member 84 is locked in its closed position, the bottom plate 38 of the body 12, as well as the receptacle means 50, are both locked thereby against actuation and removal.

Thus, by the structure disclosed, the receptacle unit 10 provides a separate body for receiving refuse and a receptacle means for receiving cigarettes and ashes which may have their contents independently discharged and are released or locked simultaneously by the opening and closing respectively of its bar member 84.

FIGURE shows a receptacle unit 100, which is a modification of the unit shown in FIGURE 1, by providing a top closure 102 for the body 12 including a pair of oppositely inclined surfaces 103, each having a door 104 which is hingedly secured at its top for providing an opening to the chamber 32 within the body 12 by its actuation in the inward direction. The unit 100, which is otherwise identical to the unit 10, thereby provides an enclosed body 12 for receiving refuse which may have advantages for particular use at public locations inside or outside of buildings.

Refer now to FIGURES 6 through 9 which disclose a receptacle unit 106 which is also a modified form of the receptacle unit 10 shown in FIGURE 1.

The receptacle unit 106 has a frame 108 providing a substantially rectangular bottom 110 supported by four leg elements 112 which are secured at respective corners of the bottom 110. The frame 108, which may be made of sheet metal, bends upwardly from its bottom 110 to form opposite vertical sides 114, 116. The frame 108 also provides horizontal portions 118, 120 respectively connecting with the vertical sides 114, 116. The inward ends of the horizontal portions 118, 120 of the frame 108 bend downwardly to provide the opposite vertical guide ledges 122, 124 of the frame 108. The frame 108 provides a front edge 126 forming an opening for slidably receiving a container 128 therein, while the frame 108 is bent upwardly along its rear edge 130 to provide a vertical ledge 132 enclosing the back end of the frame 108 and providing a stop for the container 128 when received within the frame 108.

The container 128, which also may be made of metallic sheet material, has four vertical sides 134, 136, 138, 140 which are joined together to provide a chamber 142 therein for receiving refuse. The container 128 has a top closue 129 enclosing its chamber 142 similar to that of the receptacle unit 100 shown in FIGURE 5, including a pair of oppositely inclined surfaces 131, each having a door 133 which is hingedly secured at its top for providing an opening to the chamber 142 by its actuation in the inward direction.

The bottom of the side walls 138, 140 are extended outwardly to provide protruding portions 144, 146 for being slidably received within and engaging the vertical sides 114, 116 and the guide ledges 122, 124 of the frame 108. The protruding portions 144, 146 are formed to provide opposite bottom horizontal ledges 148, 150 for supporting thereon and slidably receiving within the protruding portions 144, 146 a removable bottom plate 152, enclosing the bottom of the chamber 142 within the container 128. The openings 154, 156 in the front and rear walls 134, 136 of the container 128 (see FIGURE 9) may be provided for facilitating its handling when removed and in the removing and replacing of the container 128. The depending handle 158 is provided for the bottom plate 152 of the container 128, so that same may readily be removed or replaced for disposing of material within the chamber 142 of the container 128, when the container 128 is removed from the frame 108 of the receptacle unit 106.

A bar member 160 at one end is secured by a hinge 162 with the vertical side 116 of the frame 108 proximate its front edge 126. Thus, when the bar member 160 is placed in its closed position with its other end 164 proximate the side 114 of the frame 108, the opening provided along the front edge 126 of the frame 108 is enclosed, thereby preventing the slidable removal of the container 128 from its position within the frame 108. The end 164 of the bar member 160 is provided with lock means 166 for locking the bar member 160 in its closed position, as shown in FIGURE 7, by engaging a retaining element 168 secured with the horizontal portion 118 of the frame 108. When thus secured in its locked position, the bar member 160 prevents removal of the container 128 from the receptacle unit 106, except by authorized personnel utilizing the required key means.

A receptacle means 170 is provided which may be substantially identical to the receptacle means 50 of the unit 10, except that it does not have the rod elements 64, 66 for attachment with the container 128.

The mid portion of the bar member 160 is provided with a substantially horizontal slot 172 for receiving therethrough the horizontal foot 82 of the depending element of the receptacle means 170. The bar member 160, when thus receiving the receptacle means 170, supports same with the receptacle 52 in the position above the bar member 160, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Of course, the receptacle means 170 may readily be removed by moving same horizontally in the closing direction for the bar member when the bar member 160 is in its open position, as shown in FIGURE 6.

When the bar member 160 is placed in its closed and locked position, the receptacle means is positioned along and proximate the surface of the front wall 134 of the container 128. When thus positioned, the foot 82' cannot be removed from the slot 172 of the bar member 160, preventing removal of the receptacle means 170 from the receptacle unit 106.

The receptacle 52 of the receptacle means 170, thus, is positioned with respect to the container 128 with its top plate 56' at a predetermined distance below the top edge 174, similar to the position of the top plate 56 of the receptacle means 50 with respect to the top edge 22 of the receptacle unit 10.

In operation, when authorized personnel are to empty the refuse deposited in the container 128 and the cigarettes and ashes received in the receptacle means 170, the bar member 160 is unlocked and moved to its open position shown in FIGURE 6. The container 128 may then be slidably removed and its bottom plate 152 withdrawn for the purpose of emptying same into an appropriate depository (not shown). The receptacle unit may also be removed from the bar member 160 independent of the removal of the container 128 and similarly emptied by slidably removing its top plate 56. With the container 128 and the receptacle means 170 repositioned respectively Within the frame 108 and inserted in the slot 172 'of the bar member 160, the bar member may easily be placed in its closed position and locked in this position for securing with the unit 106 both the container 128 and the receptacle means 170 against unauthorized removal.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to several specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various additional modifications and applications, not departing essentially from the spirit thereof, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle unit comprising a body with a vertical side wall having a chamber for containing refuse and an opening for receiving refuse therethrough into said chamber, a bar member fixedly connected with said body for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and a receptacle means having an exposed opening in its top for receiving cigarettes and ashes detachably secured with said bar member and positioned externally of said body along its vertical side wall.

2. A receptacle unit comprising a body with a vertical side wall having a chamber for containing refuse and an opening for receiving refuse therethrough into said chamber, a horizontal bar member hingedly connected and fixed with said body for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and a receptacle means having an exposed opening in its top for receiving cigarettes and ashes detachably secured with said bar member at a location external to said body and positionable along and proximate the vertical side wall of said body.

3. A receptacle unit comprising a body with a vertical side wall having a chamber for containing refuse and an opening for receiving refuse therethrough into said chamber, a bar member fixedly connected with said body for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and a receptacle means having an exposed opening at its top for receiving cigarettes and ashes detachably supported by said body at a location external to said body along its vertical side wall and selectively engaging said bar member for locking said receptacle means with said body.

4. A receptacle unit comprising a body with a vertical side wall having a chamber for containing refuse and an opening for receiving refuse therethrough into said chamber, a horizontal bar member hingedly connected and fixed with said body for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and a receptacle means having an exposed opening at its top for receiving cigarettes and ashes detachably supported by said body at a location external to said body and provided with 21 depending element for selectively being engaged by said bar member for locking said receptacle means with said body along its vertical side wall.

5. A receptacle unit comprising a body with a vertical side wall having a chamber for containing refuse and an opening for receiving refuse therethrough into said chamber, a horizontal bar member hingedly secured with said body and movable about a horizontal axis between a closed position proximate said body and an open position away from said body, and a receptacle means having an exposed opening at its top detachably supported by said body at a location external to said body and having means for engagement by said member when in its closed position for locking said receptacle means with said body along its vertical side wall.

6. The means of claim in which said receptacle means comprises a receptacle having a cavity of containing cigarettes and ashes, and rod arm means connected with said receptacle for removably engaging said body for supporting said receptacle unit.

7. A receptacle unit comprising a body having a chamber for receiving refuse; a horizontal bar member hingedly secured with said body and movable about a vertical axis between a closed position proximate said body and an open position away from said body; and a receptacle means detachably supported by said body and having means for engagement by said member when in its closed position for locking said receptacle means with said body; said receptacle means comprising a receptacle having a cavity for receiving cigarettes and ashes, arm means connected with said receptacle for removably engaging said body for supporting said receptacle unit, and a depending element secured with said receptacle for being positioned proximate said body and being engaged by said bar member when it is in its closed position proximate to said body for locking said receptacle means in engagement with said body.

8. The means of claim '7 in which the depending element of said receptacle means has a substantially horizontally projecting foot, and said bar member is provided with a slot for receiving therethrough the foot of said receptacle means when said bar member is in its closed position for locking said receptacle means in engagement with said body.

9. The means "of claim 8 in which the arm means of said receptacle means comprise a pair of spaced hook elements and said body has a pair of spaced openings for removably receiving said hook elements for supporting said receptacle means, said receptacle has a top plate which is slidably removable only when said receptacle means is removed from said body for removing the contents of the cavity of said receptacle means, and means for locking said bar member in its closed position proximate said body.

10. The means of claim 9; in which said body is provided with a bottom plate which is slidably removable only when said bar member is in its open position.

11. The means of claim 10 in which said body is provided with leg supporting means allowing a container unit to be positioned under the bottomv plate of said body for receiving the refuse within said body when said bottom plate is slidably removed with said bar member in its open position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,344 8/97 Eccleston 220--18 591,124 10/97 Brown 312-216 X 613,780 11/98 Rosenfeld 23243.1 X 630,505 8/99 Hicks 3122l6 X 1,501,015 7/24 Medley 20619.S 1,510,772 10/24 Eubank 312-216 2,085,600 6/37 Peterson 31231.2 X 2,095,482 10/37 Spicciato 312216 X 2,666,607 l/54 Hauf 312-219 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. A RECEPTACLE UNIT COMPRISING A BODY WITH A VERTICAL SIDE WALL HAVING A CHAMBER FOR CONTAINING REFUSE AND AN OPENING FOR RECEIVING REFUSE THERETHROUGH INTO SAID CHAMBER, A BAR MEMBER FIXEDLY CONNECTED WITH SAID BODY FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, AND A RECEPTACLE MEANS HAVING AN EXPOSED OPENING IN ITS TOP FOR RECEIVING CIGARETTES AND ASHES DETACHABLY SECURED WITH 